A blog of liberal, progressive ideas in politics, government, and social issues.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Obama throws down the gauntlet for tonight's Republican debaters

Just before the Republican 16 go before millions of television viewers in tonight's two debates, President Obama threw down a challenge by calling their anti-immigrant positions "un-American."

“This whole anti-immigrant sentiment that’s out there in our politics right now iscontrary to who we are. Because
unless you are a Native American, your family came from someplace
else. . . .“When I hear folks talking as if somehow these kids are different
from my kids or less worthy in the eyes of God, that somehow they are
less worthy of our respect and consideration and care, I think that’s un-American.”

Dartagnan of Daily Kos summed it up:
"In one sentence the President managed to tie immigration, patriotism and
religious faith together and frame it as an indictment of the
Republican platform. With one carefully timed, barbed phrase he baited
the entire Republican field . . . into responding, while turning the Republican meme of his
"otherness" on its head and serving it up to them on a cold dish. . . .

"America will now have the pleasure of watching the Republican
candidates weigh in on the President's characterization of their entire
hateful, anti-Latino and Hispanic crusade. It should be the first
question asked in the debates.”

* * *

What a deft and clever challenge, so well timed. After all, it used to be that conservatives claimed the "patriot" title and accused liberals of being un-American. Coming on top of all the other defeats the president and the senate Democrats have been handing the Republicans, this feels like a final coup de grace.